Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New Jersey 1855

Annual Report

OF THE

ADJUTANT GENERAL

OF THE

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

For the Year 1855.

TRENTON, N. J.

TRENTON, N. J.
The i. L. Mcbphy Publishing Co., Printers.

1904

ADIUTANT-GENERAL'S REPORT.

I
Adji'taxt-Ge^'erat/s Office,
Trenton, X. J., Dec. 31, 1855.

Jo His Excellency Rodmax ]\[. Prick, (loreiiior, (^ommnmler-
in-Chief, &c., dr. ;

Sir: — I have to report as follows:

By referring' to the law of Congress, approved March third,
eighteen hundred and fifty-five, it will be seen that the basis
of representation has been taken as the guide of apportionment,
determining the quota of arms and military supplies assigTied to
the several states. The necessity, therefore of the act of the legis-
lature of Xew^ Jersey, passed March seventeenth, eighteen hun-
dred and iifty-two, is in a measure superseded, and I recoinmend
its repeal, the law being imperfectly executed, and unnecessarily
expensive to the state.

The propriety of the general order number four, calling u]X)u
all the divisions of the militia to ivarade at certain convenient
times and places, was productive of important results. In at
least one-half the divisions, it betrayed neglect, and an entire
Avant of efficient system. With abundant individual spirit, and
admirable physical strength ever\^where exhibited, the brigades
and regiments were found deficient in the necessaiy organiza-
tion, and are therefore comparatively useless to the state. It
would be unwise to disguise the fact, when war is the topic of
the day, and it becomes my duty to recommend to your excel-
lency, the adoption of some salutary measures under our militia
law, to ensure the prompt organization of the brigade boards in
the several delinquent divisions. Without the regular meetings
of these boards, nothing can be done, or will be done, and I
would propose towards the accomplishment of this end, that proper
encouragement be given to the volunter companies, and in time

4: ADJUTAXT-GENERAL'S KEPORT.

of peace, that a small suni, in lien of militia tines, bo assessed,
and eollectcd by the civil collectors, from each individual not
enrolled in some volunteer com]iany, and liable to perfonn mili-
tary service.

This fund, so collected, to be set a];art and appropriated ex-
clusively to the support of the brigade boards, and the volunteer
companies within the bounds of the brigades to which they belong.
We have authority for the rule, that ''the laborer is worthy of
his hire." The volunteer soldier is worthy of his pay. His time
and his seiwices being at the disposal of the state, why slionld not
his sacrifices, and his actual expenditures, entitle liim to a reason-
able compensation ?

The voluntary retirement of some of the ancient and decayed
officers, whose long and meritorious past services entitle them to
repose, would bring into active service young hlood, which is the
life and efficiency of every branch of military service.

In the distribution of arms, so far as it can be done, I w^ould
]>refer that the small arms be adapted to the nse of the Minnie
ball. This weapon is admirably suited to the arming of the
militia and light troops, and in a j>eciiliar conntry like our's,
where every American is a marksman, it seems to me that it has
been contrived for their special benefit.

The range of the Minnie rifle ball is about to lessen the efficiency
of the present light battery, and as we have on hand a supply of
six-pounders, I would prefer an application for the twelve-pound
long range guns, when they are on hand for distribution.
Respectfully, your oljedient servant,

T. CADWALADER,
Adg.'Gen. N. J. M.

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